Dramma musicale in three acts with a prologueLibretto by Giacinto Andrea CicogniniFirst performed in the winter 1656, Innsbruck
Sung in Italian with German surtitles.First ever performances of the work in Frankfurt
Duration: ca. 3hrs 20 mins with one interval

About the work

Pietro Antonia Cesti was born in Arezzo in 1623, 62 years before Handel. His first opera, L'Orontea, was a box office hit a ...

Pietro Antonia Cesti was born in Arezzo in 1623, 62 years before Handel. His first opera, L'Orontea, was a box office hit and regularly performed for more than thirty years. This was largely due to Giacinto Andrea Cicognini's excellent libretto - he understood how to combine tragedy and comedy and lend necessary dynamics to dialogues. There are three acts, preceded by a prologue, in which Filosofia and Amore argue about whether duty or love will prevail during the ensuing events. Lithe recitatives are interspersed with evocative scenes and moving arias, including the best known gem – Orontea's great aria »Intorno all'idol mio«. Put it all together and the result is an exciting and enjoyable masterpiece.

Synopsis

Amore flies to Queen Orontea's court in Egypt to prove that love can triumph over duty. Orontea intends to attend to her duties, a ...

Amore flies to Queen Orontea's court in Egypt to prove that love can triumph over duty. Orontea intends to attend to her duties, and shun love. Creonte explains how a royal marriage would benefit Egypt, but she remains steadfast. A young man's life has been saved. His mother Aristea begs the Queen for help. Orontea finds out that he guest is called Alidoro, a former royal painter at the Phoenician court, who fled because Princess Arnea fell in love with him. Silandra stumbles across Alidoro and is strongly attracted to him. Gelone is too drunk to attend a summons from the Queen. Act 2: Orontea' feelings for Alidoro increase. Ismero tells the Queen that she is Giacinta, a former courtier. She was taken hostage but escaped to Princess Arnea's court, passing herself off as a boy. She was ordered to find and kill the court painter. Orontea is furious when Giacinta says she wounded a man called Alidoro. The Queen is in love. Aristea tries in vain to chat up Giacinta, is still in disguise. Silandra ends her relationship with Corindo. She wants Alidoro to paint her portrait. Orontea disturbs them and flies into a jealous rage. Alidoro falls asleep. Orontea places a love letter, marriage proposal and her royal insignia next to him. Act 3: Alidoro tells Silandra that he doesn't love her anymore, because he will soon be King of Egypt. Creonte reminds Orontea of her duty and ancestry. She snatches back her crown and leaves. Corindo receives a letter of apology from Silandra who wants to win him back. Corindo wants to kill Alidoro. Giacinta loves the painter too. Aristea gives a locket to Giacinta, hoping for a kiss. Giacinta, in female attire, gives it to Alidoro, to curry favour. Corindo receives a letter from Alidoro, challenging him to a duel. Alidoro is accused of theft and brought before Orontea. Aristea says that she was given the locket by her late husband, the pirate Ipparco. Creonte explains everything: King Sidonio's baby son and the locket were stolen by pirates. Aristea is not Alidoro's mother. Alidoro is Floridano, the stolen baby and heir to the Phoenician throne. Orontea is overjoyed that they now may marry.

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